“And here’s Kitey, too!” cried Wamby, embracing his old friend. “Come and sit down and tell me where you have been, and how you came here.”
When they had told their story, Wamby discussed with them their future plans. They finally decided to gather all of the Pin Elves together, and attempt to recover their own dominions from the Gnomes.
While messengers were sent to collect the elves, the three friends went to the landing-place.
“Why,” said Harry, when they came there, “the wind is still blowing from the other side.”
“Oh, I forgot about that!” Wamby cried in dismay. “It has been blowing all the time we have been here. I think the Gnomes on the other side keep it turned on, in order to prevent our sailing across.”
“Well, say,” said Kitey, “it seems to me if we turn on the wind here, it will be strong enough to more than counteract the other wind.”
The suggestion was acted upon, and it was found that the strong current there entirely overcame the current blowing towards them. Therefore they gathered together the whole fleet of the Gnoman ships, every Pin Elf scrambled aboard, and they were soon merrily sailing towards home. The Head Caterer of the King of the Gnomes and his men were left behind. As none of the vessels were left, it was, of course, impossible for them to follow the Pin Elves.
The fleet made good progress at the start, but the speed diminished perceptibly as they proceeded, and when they were about half-way across, every ship came to a dead standstill.
“The Caterer must have turned off the wind!” exclaimed Wamby.
“No, Your Majesty,” said Kitey, “for I can feel it blowing yet. Why, that’s funny! It seems to blow from both sides!”